It began June 2, 1969, a month and a half before Apollo 11 and four months before the Amazin’ Mets.
That’s when the Bar-D Wranglers took the stage for the first time north of Durango, and they’ve since fed and entertained locals and tourists every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Founded by Cy Scarborough, many a musician has donned apron, bolo tie and cowboy hats to serve food and then play music.
For 25 of those 44 years, Gary Cook has been not only a Bar D Wrangler but also an accomplished studio engineer and flatpicking champion.
Imagine yourself in your own job, showing up for 25 years straight; no colds, no flu, no Mondays off after the Fourth of July. That work ethic, for the most part, is unheard of.
“I have never missed a regular summer performance, by illness or any other reason,” Cook said. “There have been broken bones and many other ailments, but the show must go on. This is nothing new for our group, but unusual in about any other line of work you can imagine.”
During Cook’s tenure, the Wranglers have played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ol’ Opry. As a guitar player, he’s won flatpicking awards at festivals such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kan. He also was nominated by the Western Music Association for “Instrumentalist of the Year” in 2012.
Joining Cook in the Wranglers is Matt Palmer on fiddle and vocals, Richard Lee Cody on guitar and vocals, Joel Racheff on bass and vocals, and Scarborough on guitar and vocals.
Cook’s run with the band began in 1988, when he was asked to audition.
“After them hearing me play, I was offered the job,” Cook said. “Two-point-five million guests later and untold numbers of shows here at the Bar D as well as on the road in our offseason, I’ve played around the globe singing cowboy and comedy songs and playing with some very talented professional musicians.”
Cook’s knowledge of Western music is astounding. His talent up and down the neck of a Martin guitar, especially in flatpicking leads, would give Doc Watson and Tony Rice a run for their money.
Offstage, he’s a gifted producer, recording locals such as Tyler Gummersall and the formerly Durango-based bluegrass band Rock and Rye. And he’s grown into the leader of the Bar-D Wranglers, a band that has grown into a Durango institution.
“For the most part, the Wranglers can choose music to rehearse, and then I can step in and together we create a new arrangement of how we intend to work a song,” Cook said. “There is never a dull moment.”
This season will see 18 more performances from Cook and the Wranglers at the Bar-D, including this evening. On Aug. 27 and 28, the Bar-D will welcome guest performers and Western legends Riders in the Sky, who will perform alongside the Wranglers.
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s Best
Saturday: Black Velvet will play rock music, 8 p.m., no cover, Derailed Pour House, 749 Main Ave., 247-5440.
Nightly through Labor Day: The Bar D Wranglers will play country and western, 5:30 p.m., $24-$34 includes dinner, Bar D Chuckwagon, 8080 East Animas Road (County Road 250), 247-5753.
